Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies
This program is designed to prepare students to work in the legal field for law firms, banks, corporations, and government agencies in the performance of delegated, substantive legal services under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Students receive instruction in the substantive and procedural law necessary to function in the legal environment under the direction and supervision of attorneys in areas such as civil litigation, real property, legal research and writing, business organizations, and legal technology. Students will understand the ethical framework within which they will work and will be able to analyze and communicate effectively in these areas. Instruction stresses practical applications. Note: Paralegals cannot give legal advice, represent a client, or provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Employment Opportunities
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Researcher
- Case Preparation
General Requirements for Admission:
The applicant must provide evidence of a standard high school diploma or one of the equivalents as defined by the Department of Higher Education HEA Sec. 484(d) and detailed below:
- A GED Certificate
- A certified or other official completion documentation demonstrating that the student has passed a state-authorized examination (such as the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) or a state-recognized equivalent of a high school diploma.
- A conferred associate’s degree
- Successfully completed at least 60 semester or trimester credit hours or 72 quarter credit hours that does not result in the awarding of a degree, but that is acceptable for full credit toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree may provide the official transcripts from the transferring institution.
Conditional acceptance is available for students who are enrolled while still in high school. Students must receive their high school diploma or equivalent prior to being admitted to AGMU. Students must provide evidence of a high school diploma or equivalent prior to receiving a diploma or degree from AGMU.
Supporting Documentation:
Applicants must provide evidence of previous credits, courses or studies documenting graduation from secondary school to an authorized University member. Only original documents will be considered as evidence. Original documents such as:
- A General Education Diploma (GED) or other diploma or graduation document
- Certification prepared by a secondary institution, agency recognized by the US
- Applicants who have completed previous college-level coursework must provide an official transcript from the transferring institution (this means a document issued by the institution which includes an official seal, generally with a stamp stating “official transcript”).
- Applicants who have not completed 60 semester or 72 quarter hours at a recognized institution of higher education must provide evidence of a high school diploma or its equivalent as defined above.
If the applicant cannot leave the original document for his admission record, the officer will make a copy and certify with his initials that it is a copy from the original.
Additional requirements may apply to specific academic programs.
*If the applicant is enrolling in a bilingual program, before enrolling in any course, the applicant may be required to take a language proficiency assessment. Please refer to the AGMU Language Placement Protocol and the Transfer Credit Policy.
